| The move to Voice over Internet Protocol (or | | | | that many companies ignore at their peril is |
| VoIP) has grown in popularity so to have the | | | | internal traffic flowing over a VoIP system.It is |
| security issues that surround VoIP | | | | critical this is addressed and secured as well.An |
| systems.Security issues are now a major concern | | | | increasing number of workers use voIP to |
| of companies thinking about changing to a VoIP | | | | communicate with company staff from wireless |
| system.Vunerability to attackVoIP is internet | | | | phones or soft phones and this creates a serious |
| based and this creates the problem of being open | | | | potential security problem.Therefore companies |
| to all the attacks that are associated with this | | | | should look to encrypt voIP traffic moving |
| method of communication.It opens up the | | | | internally over a corporate network to prevent |
| telephone network to attacks from hackers, who | | | | attacks from within the company itself.The |
| could infiltrate and listen to phone conversations | | | | increasing use of desktop-based soft phones to |
| and steal confidential data, and Spammers have | | | | make and receive VOIP-based telephone calls |
| the opportunity to target a system with | | | | creates a breach in firewall security that of |
| denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.Before making the | | | | course can be exploited by unscrupulous |
| move to VoIP, companies need to thoroughly | | | | employees.The best way to address this problem |
| acquaint themselves with the security issues | | | | as we have said, is to restrict access to the |
| surrounding this new technology and plan | | | | network.In addition, make sure all inbound VOIP |
| protection in advance.VoIP networks are | | | | traffic that flows through a firewall is routed |
| threatened with the same security risks as | | | | through a gateway server, thus eliminating a |
| traditional IP data networks and similar meashures | | | | direct connection to the Internet and all the |
| need to be taken to add protection and | | | | security issues this entails.Securing a VoIP |
| security.Protecting a VoIP System,Companies | | | | System.Many corporate users are discouraged |
| should adopt a multi layer security strategy to | | | | from using VoIP systems as they feel they are |
| secure their VoIP systems.This can be done by | | | | not secure however, this is the same as saying it |
| dividing the network into secure zones adding | | | | is not safe to use a computer connected to the |
| protection with firewalls and intrusion prevention | | | | internet, it can be secured its up to companies |
| techniques.A company should in fact secure the | | | | and individuals to do soSecuring VoIP systems is |
| network itself by putting in place layers of | | | | like securing any IP network.Just as you protect |
| security to protect at all levels | | | | your PC with virus software, firewalls etc so to |
| including:Telephones, conversations, computers, | | | | should you protect a VoIP system with similar |
| and servers.A specific method of authentication | | | | meashures.VoIP can and is secure, providing |
| (encryption) should be standard as to should | | | | adequate steps are taken.Security is a network |
| control access ( by passwords and | | | | issue as wellSecurity is not a server issue it's a |
| firewalls)Companies should always look to encrypt | | | | network issue and companies can achieve |
| data sent for confidentiality, and use call software | | | | security by placing the above measures in place |
| to establish a tracking of calls for all employees, | | | | to make their VoIP system secure just as they |
| to create accountability of information | | | | do with an IP network. |
| sent.Internal SecurityA potential breach in security | | | | |